South of France in October - do you need a heated outdoor pool?

[Housemum]

Looking at various properties some do and some don't have heated outdoor pools - never been to South of France before - would we freeze our bits off in an unheated pool? Typically the property I love that ticks all the other boxes for me has an unheated pool! Kids' ages will be 16, 6 and 18 months then. Thanks for any advice

Cote d'azur south of france ?

Hmmm - tbh, even if it is, I would think you would need one in October

I would agree with tillyscout.

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Looks like a toss-up between the one with toys and the one with a pool then! We are looking along the south coast, a couple in Cote d'Azur and a couple further towards Spain, Languedoc region I think.

Where will you be in the South of France?

Do you really want to swim in October? It doesn't get very cold but will still be chilly.

Not sure - just that so many places have pools (obviously for the summer) that I thought I'd ask the question. Haven't decided exactly where to stay but likely to be no more than 15 mins inland

We went to South of France in April once and the unheated outdoor pool was far too cold to get into. though DP did it in a wetsuit...

I agree with all the others - we have a villa in the Languedoc region with an unheated pool. Even in the middle of September last year the water was cold although the outside temperature was lovely and warm. No way would I use it in October unless the weather was exceptional!

We went there a couple of years ago for the October half term and, although the weather was sunny with clear blue skies, we still needed jackets when we went out most of the time. However, it's a beautiful part of France and the scenery in October is stunning with the vines changing colour.

where are you looking in Languedoc? Happy to advise you in terms of location

Agree with all that the weather by the end of October can be quite cool and rainy in the south of France. Best time to go is May - September imo.

Have narrowed down to:

• place with lots of toys but unheated pool in Fitou

or going further east towards Nice:

• nicely fitted out house, Fayence

or further inland:

• OK house but heated outdoor pool, target 27 degrees (not very eco-friendly I'm sure) in Aveyron (Midi-Pyrenee region)

October half term is best time for us to fit in a holiday, and cost is too much in the summer! Can't do May half term as teenage DD has GCSEs to revise for then.

I only know the Languedoc region as that's where my parents villa is but it is a beautiful part of the country and there is lots to see and do. Wherever you decide to stay and whoever you rent from, make sure the owners provide you with a very comprehensive information pack, especially info on what the local area offers in terms of things to see and do with children. My parents do and the guests really appreciate all the inside info!

Good luck and hope you find somewhere perfect!

Have you considered the Canary Islands - the weather in October will be a lot warmer .

Fayence is pretty far inland and about an hour from Nice iirc.

On the coast, October weather is nice but it is not always the same inland.

Another point to remember is that most outdoor pools will be winterised around the start/middle of October so even if the weather is amazing the pool may not be available. You should definitely check this with the owner of the villa.

However, there are lots of indoor pools in the area - we were at a huge one in Narbonne (Languedoc) last weekend that also has ice skating and bowling!